California Code, Financial Code - FIN § 8225

(a) Whenever the commissioner deems it necessary in order to conserve the assets of any association for the benefit of the depositors and other creditors, or if the commissioner finds any of the following with respect to any association:  (1) the association is in an impaired condition;  (2) the association is engaging in practices that threaten to result in an impaired condition;  (3) the association has substantially dissipated its assets due to violation of law or regulation or to unsafe or unsound practice;  (4) the association is in an unsafe or unsound condition to transact business;  (5) the association is in violation of an order or injunction, as authorized by this division;  or (6) the association refuses to submit its books, papers, and affairs to the inspection of the commissioner, the commissioner may, ex parte and without notice, appoint a conservator for the association.

(b) The conservator may be the commissioner, deputy commissioner or any other person.

(c) The conservator shall, upon appointment, immediately take possession of the books, records, and assets of every description of the association and shall take any further action as he or she may deem necessary to conserve the assets of the association pending further disposition of its business.

(d) Within six months of the date of appointment of the conservator, or within 12 months if the commissioner extends the six months' period, the association shall be returned to its board of directors to be managed and operated as if no conservator had been appointed, or a receiver shall be appointed as provided in Section 8250.

(e) If the commissioner or a department employee is appointed conservator no additional compensation shall be paid, but if another person is appointed then the compensation of the conservator, as determined by the commissioner, shall be paid by the association.

(f) Any expenses of such conservatorship shall be paid out of the assets of the association and shall be a lien against association assets prior to any other lien.